R J Poole, Lismore
We live in strange times. The big picture is changing. It always has been of course and yet presently, it seems to be slipping a little more noticeably.
The world’s climate is moving into one of its grand historic cycles, only this time it is balancing seven billion humans. The impact of human activity on this planet has been a problem for centuries and while we argue over the extent of this impact, the same problem continues unabated.
Countries across the globe are turning increasingly to renewable energy sources. Alternatives are being sort to the tradition of burning fossil fuels. Whatever the extent of climate change, there’s a move towards something smarter, more sustainable.
Generating your own power rather than burning vast quantities of coal makes sense. This is precisely what China, India, Germany and many others are moving towards. So where does this leave Australia’s reliance on coal for both our power and a source of income?
Answer: nowhere.
Failing to see the writing on the wall about renewables, could be one of those grand historic clangers that has Australia choosing Beta instead of VHS, or hydrogen filled airships in preference to aircraft. Or trashing our environment for a gas export that no-one will want!
It’s ironic that a sunburnt country looks to the ground for answers, rather than the sky above, but I did say we live in strange times!
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
